Gas igniting device



y 6, 1941- T. l. LEWIS 2,240,508

GAS IGNITING DEVICE Filed Jan. 2, 1940 INVENTOR 6 amyaw% ATTO R N EYSPatented May 6, 1941 UNITED STAT ES PAT; '3 OFF! CE GAS IGNITING DEVICETed Lewis, Corpus Christi, Text, assignor of onefourth to A. L. Taplin,one-fourth 'to George R. Brown and one-fourth to 8.0. Kardell, all ofCorpus Christi, Tex.

2 Claims.

My invention relates to gas igniting devices and has as one of theprincipal objects thereof the provision of such a device as willautomatically ignite escaping gases from storage tanks, gas systems andthe like to preclude the discharge of said gases into the atmosphere andwhich if allowed to escape in said atmosphere will oftentimes result inexplosions or asphyxiation to persons in the immediate vicinity.

Another object of my invention is to provide a device of the characterdescribed which is simple in construction, durable in use, efficient inoperation and economical in manufacture.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the followingdescription, appended claims and annexed drawing.

Referring to the drawing wherein like reference characters designatelike parts throughout the several views:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my invention attached to the vent lineof a storage tank or the like.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view of my invention.

Figure 3 is a detail sectional view taken on the line 3--3 of Figure 2.

In practicing my invention, I provide a vent line 5 one end of which isadapted to be connected to a storage tank or the like whereby gas mayreadily escape therefrom. The opposite end of the vent line 5 hassecured thereto the lower end of a vertically extending pipe 6, theupper end of which is threadedly connected to the lower end of a casingl, the latter being provided above its lower end with a valve seat 8.

The casing, above said seat, is formed with a laterally enlarged portionconstituting a valve chamber 9. Mounted in said chamber 9 is a valvemember H! pivoted to said seat and which normally rests upon the seat 8to effect closure between th pipe 6 and the valve chamber 9.

Adjustably threaded into the casing, above the chamber 9, is a pair ofoppositely disposed tubes H, the latter being equipped on their opposedends with spring pressed flint pencils [2. Interposed between the pencilI2 is a friction stick l3, the lower end of which is pivoted to thevalve member it as at M. The tubes ll have fixed to the outer endsthereof finger pieces whereby said tubes and pencils may be readilyadjusted relative to the stick I3.

A by-pass l5 efiects communication between the upper and lower sectionsof said casing about the valve member I0 and assures a mixture of gasand air in the upper section of the casing.

The upper end of the casing has threaded therein the lower end of aburner tube H and said burner tube on the outer face thereof is providedwith a series of eyes I8 to which are connected the upper ends of guywires l9 diverging down- Wardly and connected to the ground in anysuitable manner to support the burner tube in a vertical position.

The line 5 has secured therein a valve 20 provided with a valve seat 2|closed by a valve member 22. The valve member 22 is normally seated onthe seat 2i by means of a Weight 23 and closes communication between thestorage tank and pipe 6. When a sufficient quantity of gas escapes fromthe storage tank the valve member 22 will be actuated upwardly, by thepressure of the gas, against the weight 23 to permit said gas to flowupwardly through the pipe 6. When sufiicient pressure builds up withinthe pipe 6, the valve member I0 will be actuated upwardly and causemovement of the stick against the ends of the fiint pencils I2 therebyproducing a spark and igniting the escaping gas at the end of the burnertube ll. The valve 20 acts as a check valve to preclude gas in the linebetween said valve and said storage tank from becoming ignited uponigniting of gas within said burner tube I1.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that I have provided a simple andefficient means whereby escaping gas from storage tanks and the like maybe automatically ignited to preclude escape of said gas to theatmosphere and resulting damage therefrom.

It is also obvious that the invention is not confined to the hereindescribed use therefor as it may be utilized for any purpose to which itis adaptable. It is therefore to be understood that the invention is notlimited to the specific construction as illustrated and described, asthe same is only illustrative of the principles of operation which arecapable of extended application in advance forms, and that the inventioncomprehends all construction within the scope of the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. A device of the character described, comprising, a vent line havingone end adapted for connection to a gas emitting source, a valve casingconnected to the other end of said line and fashioned with a valvechamber, a burner tube connected to said chamber, a valve seat in saidchamber between said tube and line, a valve member pivotally mounted insaid casing and normally closing said seat, an ignition device mountedin said casing between said tube and chamber and fashioned with a valvechamber, a burner tube connected to said chamber, a valve seat in saidchamber between said tube and'line, a valve member plvotally mounted insaid casing and normally closing said seat, an ignition device mountedin said casing between said tube and chamber and including flint memberscarried by said casing, a stick interposed between said members andpivoted to said valve member whereby gas accumulating in said line willactuate said valve member towards open position and operate said stickagainst said flint members to ignite said gas flowing through said tube,and a check valve mounted within said line to preclude ignition of saidgas in said line between said source and said check valve.

TED I. LEWIS.

